SpermacoceSpermacoce brachystemastem & flowersis derived from the Greek σπερμα (sperma), a seed, and ακωκη (akoké), a point – the fruit has two points; brachystema is from βραχυς (brachus), short and στημων (stémon), a thread (stamen).

This plant occurs across most of northern Australia, and down the east coast as far as the Kempsey district in NSW. It has been found at an altitudinal range from near sea level to about 800 m. It is primarily a woodland species, but can also be found in eucalypt forest and wooded grassland. It is relatively uncommon (at least on Magnetic Island), but here it can be found along pathways or roadsides or in open ground. The plants photographed were by the side of the Cockle Bay road.

There is a cluster of small flowers present at nearly all the nodes. The calyx lobes are green to brown with broad white margins, up to 2 mm long. The corolla is shorter than the calyx, papillose, with long erect hairs at the mouth of the corolla tube. The corolla is blue or whitish, about 2 mm long, pubescent inside on the throat, glabrous to papillose outside. The stamens are inserted towards the base of the tube.